• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

Growing complexity in ecosystem structure and functions, under impacts of climate and land-use changes, requires interdisciplinary understandings of processes and the whole-system, and accurate estimates of the changing functions. In the last three decades, observation networks for biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem functions under climate change, have been developed by interested scientists, research institutions and universities. In this paper we will review (1) the development and on-going activities of those observation networks, (2) some outcomes from forest carbon cycle studies at our super-site "Takayama site" in Japan, and (3) a few ideas how we connect in-situ and satellite observations as well as fill observation gaps in the Asia-Oceania region. There have been many intensive research and networking efforts to promote investigations for ecosystem change and functions (e.g., Long-Term Ecological Research Network), measurements of greenhouse gas, heat, and water fluxes (flux network), and biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem level (Biodiversity Observation Network). Combining those in-situ field research data with modeling analysis and satellite remote sensing allows the research communities to up-scale spatially from local to global, and temporally from the past to future. These observation networks oftern use different methodologies and target different scientific disciplines. However growing needs for comprehensive observations to understand the response of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to climate and societal changes at local, national, regional, and global scales are providing opportunities and expectations to network these networks. Among the challenges to produce and share integrated knowledge on climate, ecosystem functions and biodiversity, filling scale-gaps in space and time among the phenomena is crucial. To showcase such efforts, interdisciplinary research at 'Takayama super-site' was reviewed by focusing on studies on forest carbon cycle and phenology. A key approach to respond to multidisciplinary questions is to integrate in-situ field research, ecosystem modeling, and satellite remote sensing by developing cross-scale methodologies at long-term observation field sites called "super-sites". The research approach at 'Takayama site' in Japan showcases this response to the needs of multidisciplinary questions and further development of terrestrial ecosystem research to address environmental change issues from local to national, regional and global scales.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.95-111
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• 2004

This research sought to determine the status of the installation and operation of composting facilities of domestic public resource-making facilities and come up with corresponding improvement measures. The composting facilities were the most extensively installed of related facilities with over a 0.5 ton treated volume per day. The monthly and yearly carry-in volume of food waste were found to stand at 1,101.7 tons per day and 930.9 tons per day, thus falling short of the average planned volume of 1,270.9 tons. Many composting facilities, which were installed in areas for which factory registration were not approved, did not get approvals. Composting facilities underwent operation stoppage mainly due to faulty fermentation and crushing equipment. Mainly metals contained in food waste caused faults to the crushing equipment, thus requiring a facility designing against faults and corrosion. The initial water content was found to stand at 50-60%, thus complying with the requirement. However, since the composting food waste had an appropriate mixture of sawdust, food waste, and returned compost, it should meet the initial conditions. For fermentation facilities, the duration time for fermentation was 15 days, and post-fermentation tanks required 21 days of duration time, thus establishing the minimum criteria. However, some facilities did not meet the requirements, taking more time in decomposition, thus suggesting a need to determine the duration time according to facilities. In composting food waste, microorganism-based thermal oxidizer-operated fermentation tanks should be used to ensure an economic operation. On the contrary, 14 out of 25 survey targets heated fermentation tanks in any form. These thermal facilities contain the growth of bacteria, lowering chemical reaction in composting; thus composting facilities should be basically designed to use microorganism-based thermal oxidizers in drying water. An average daily volume of food waste and supplementary materials that was injected in producing compost was 22.8 tons. This volume produced 7.3 tons of compost per day, decreasing 68%. Properties of produced compost were analyzed by its color, absence or presence of remaining decomposition heat, and smell, to assess the quality. As a result, the composting process was not properly installed nor operated in about 50% of composting facilities. Compost should be produced to be soil-friendly.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the influences of modified starches on suppression of retrogradation in Korean rice cake for their optimization, Garaeduk. Based upon studying Avrami equation, the Avrami exponent n value of all the experiment samples was found to be 1.03 ${\sim}$ 1.37 in the influence of modified starches on retrogradation of the rice cake. This means that the retrogradation of the Korean rice cake occurred instantly after the crystallization of starch particles in the Korean rice cake formulated by modified starches. The highest Avrami exponent n value was indicated in the control sample. The rate constant k of retrogradation in the Korean rice cake formulated by modified starches showed comparatively low and appeared to be the lowest in the Korean rice cake formulated by SHPP. This tendency was shown well in the time constant(1/k) of retrogradation velocity. According to the DSC analysis, the onset temperature of gelatinization in thermal characteristics showed somewhat high in case of addition of modified starch into the Korean rice cake on storage time and the SHPP was slowly gone up. In peak temperature of gelatinization in thermal characteristics of the DSC analysis, SSOS and ASA were increased a little in comparison with the control. The control was comparatively high increase. Melting enthalphy of all samples added with modified starches (SSOS: 21.1${\rightarrow}$23.7${\rightarrow}$24.1, ASA: 21.1${\rightarrow}$24.8${\rightarrow}$25.4) appeared to be lower than that of the Korean rice cake without modified starches(21.2${\rightarrow}$26.1${\rightarrow}$27.1). The Korean rice cake added with SHPP was shown to be the lowest in the increasing rate of melting enthalpy(20.9${\rightarrow}$21.4${\rightarrow}$22.1). Heat spreadability of all the samples in Martin melting diameter was revealed to be good in order of control, ASA, SSOS, SHPP and especially the Korean rice cake added with SHPP was shown to be the best in heat spreadability. In color, sensory examination and textural characteristic of the Korean rice cake added with modified starches, the L$^*$value was not changed practically with the storage time and seemed to be stable. The a$^*$ value of the samples was followed by control(2.21${\rightarrow}$5.34: 141.6%), ASA (2.01${\rightarrow}$4.22: 110.0%), SSOS (2.78${\rightarrow}$4.87: 75.2%) and SHPP (2.12${\rightarrow}$3.40: 60.4%) in order of color change. Also the b$^*$ value of the samples was followed by control(4.32${\rightarrow}$6.35: 47.0%), ASA (4.66${\rightarrow}$5.73: 23.0%), SSOS (4.90${\rightarrow}$5.89: 20.2%) and SHPP (4.89${\rightarrow}$5.12: 4.7%) and there was the least (or no) color change with the SHPP. Textural characteristics of samples was shown to be the highest in case of modified starch addition and especially SHPP appeared to be the best in texture.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.502-508
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• 1997

Rice bran dietary fiber extract, which was obtained after termamyl treatment of defatted rice bran contained $27.3{\sim}30.5%$ protein, $49.7{\sim}54.1%$ insoluble dietary fiber, and $1.9{\sim}2.7%$ soluble dietary fiber. Extrusion decreased the insoluble dietary fiber content but increased the soluble dietary fiber content, while roasting did not. Influence those content. Each mineral element content was depended upon heat processing method. Extrusion increased the water binding capacity and L value, while roasting reduced the water binding capacity and L value. Scanning electron microscopy showed damaged cell walls for extruded sample compared to roasted one which had fully collapsed cell walls. The increase of water absorption, developing time, and stability and the of MTI of wheat flour-dietary fiber extract composites with addition of dietary fiber extract were observed by Farinograph. Rice bran dietary fiber extract had an effect on the bread making resulting in increase of bread weight and color of crumb and crust, and decrease of bread volume and texture. As a result of sensory evaluation, appearance, texture, overall acceptability were significantly different from control but flavor and taste were not different significantly up to 6% level. Heat treated samples had differences in mean values, but not significant differences statistically.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.263-275
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• 2014

It's shown how to proceed the study on Manufacturing techniques & Conservation to the Iron Pot from Cheonmachong Ancient Tomb(the 155th Tomb in Hwangnam-dong). In order to investigate manufacturing techniques of the Iron Pot, some parts of the relic were gathered. After mounting, polishing and etching on the relic, analyzing the metal microstructure was conducted. Also it's conducted a SEM-EDS analysis on the nonmetallic inclusion. White iron structure was observed in the metallurgical structure inspection, SEM-EDS analysis. It seems to be dried slowly at room temperature after casting, doesn't look as particular heat treatment to improve brittleness. It is estimated that it's as the handle seam side were verified about 3cm inch wide, 1.5 thick in center of body, so 2 separate half-completed products was cast with width-type mould. The manufacturing techniques Using white cast iron structure, width-type mould are observable to the Iron Pot excavated from Sikrichong Ancient Tomb & Hwangnamdaechong grand Ancient Tomb around those were constructed the same time. It's able to recognize that it's almost identical manufacturing techniques at that time. Conservation is generically following those are survey of pretreatment, foreign material removal, stabilization, restoration and color matching in the order. cleaning & drying were added to the process as occasion demands. The strengthening treatment were difficult with artifact's volume, low concentration Paraloid NAD-10 solution was spread two or three times with a brush, surface hardening also came up with 15wt% Paraloid NAD-10 solution after the conservation was complete. There were connection & restoration for the restoration to the damage after modeling forms that it's similar to damaged parts by using the Fiber Reinforced Plastic resins(POLYCOAT FH-245, mold laminated type). Throughout this research, capitalizing on accumulations of measurements about the production technique of Iron Pot in the time of the fifth and 6th centuries is no less important than the Iron artifact's conservation for a better study in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.6
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• pp.496-503
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the influences of sapflow flux on soil water tensions and soil moisture content at the Abies holophylla plots in Gwangneung, Gyeonggido, from September to October 2004. The Abies holophylla had been planted in 1976 and thinning and pruning were carried out in 1996 and 2004. Sapflow flux was measured by the heat pulse method, and soil water tension was measured by tensiometer at hillslope and streamside. Time domain reflectometry probes (TDR) were positioned horizontally at the depth of 10, 30 and 50 cm to measure soil moisture content. All of data were recorded every 30 minutes with the dataloggers. The sapflow flux responded sensitively to rainfall, so little sapflow was detected in rainy days. The average daily sapflow flux of sample trees was 10.16l, a maximum was 15.09l, and a minimum was 0.0l. The sapflow flux's diurnal changes showed that sapflow flux increased from 9 am and up to 0.74 l/30 min. The highest sapflow flux maintained by 3 pm and decreased almost 0.0 l/30 mm after 7 pm. The average soil water tensions were low ($-141.3cmH_2O$, $-52.9cmH_2O$ and $-134.2cmH_2O$) at hillslope and high ($-6.1cmH_2O$, $-18.0cmH_2O$ and $-3.7cmH_2O$) at streamside. When the soil moisture content decreased after rainfall, the soil water tension at hillslope responded sensitively to the sapflow flux. The soil water tension decreased as the sapflow flux increased during the day time, whereas increased during the night time when the sapflow flux was not detected. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between soil water tension and sapflow flux at streamside. Soil moisture content at hillslope decreased continuously after rain, and showed a negative correlation to sapflow flux like a soil water tension at hillslope. As considered results above, it was confirmed that the response of soil moisture tension to sapflow flux at hillslope and streamside were different.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.174-184
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• 2009

Evapotranspiration (ET) is one of the major hydrologic processes in terrestrial ecosystems. A reliable estimation of spatially representavtive ET is necessary for deriving regional water budget, primary productivity of vegetation, and feedbacks of land surface to regional climate. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides an opportunity to monitor ET for wide area at daily time scale. In this study, we applied a MODIS-based ET algorithm and tested its reliability for nine flux tower sites in East Asia. This is a stand-alone MODIS algorithm based on the Penman-Monteith equation and uses input data derived from MODIS. Instantaneous ET was estimated and scaled up to daily ET. For six flux sites, the MODIS-derived instantaneous ET showed a good agreement with the measured data ($r^2=0.38$ to 0.73, ME = -44 to $+31W\;m^{-2}$, RMSE =48 to $111W\;m^{-2}$). However, for the other three sites, a poor agreement was observed. The predictability of MODIS ET was improved when the up-scaled daily ET was used ($r^2\;=\;0.48$ to 0.89, ME = -0.7 to $-0.6\;mm\;day^{-1}$, $RMSE=\;0.5{\sim}1.1\;mm\;day^{-1}$). Errors in the canopy conductance were identified as a primary factor of uncertainty in MODIS-derived ET and hence, a more reliable estimation of canopy conductance is necessary to increase the accuracy of MODIS ET.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1993

To study the immune responses of the japanese eel. Anguilla japonica, fish were injected intraperitoneally with several types of Edwardsiella tarda antigen, i. e., FKC(formalin killed cells), HKC(heat killed cells) or LPS(lipopolysaccharide), and the changes of immunocytes numbers, phagocytosis and agglutination titre in the peripheral blood of the fish were investigated. The number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of eels were decreased until 6 hours after injection, and then were turn to normal levels after 24 hours of injection. However, the level were slightly increased and were remained after 24 hours. The number of neutrophils of FKC, HKC or LPS injected fish were the highest at 12 hours after injection and were decreased slowly after that. Three weeks after the injections, the agglutination of antibody titre of all immunized groups were reached at 128 and were remained this level thereafter. However 6 weeks after the injections, that in HKC injected fish were dropped the level up to 4. Fish were injected with LPS and the blood from the fish were bled after 12 hours. Then the blood were incubated with E. tarda. Six hours after incubation, the phagocytic index was reached the highest level, 28.3. One week after the LPS injection, the blood were again bled and incubated with E. tarda. The phagocytic index at this time was 3.9. The phagocytic indexes of the fish injected with FKC and HKC, treted as same LPS injected fish as above, were 18.8 and 10.7, respectively. The phagocytic index of the control fish was 1.2. The antibacterial activities of normal antiserum against E. tarda were shown for both FKC and LPS injected fish, but not for HKC injected fish. The RPS(relative percentage of survival) of HKC, FKC and LPS injected fish in the challenge test were 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. These results suggest that the effect of protection of the eel which were injected with antigen were varied with the method of preparation of the antigen.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2012

A Macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials is commonly referred to as a "Composite Material", having been designed mechanically and chemically superior in function and characteristic than its individual constituent materials. Composite materials are used not only for aerospace and military, but also heavily used in boat/ship building and general composite industries which we are seeing increasingly more. Regardless of the various applications for composite materials, the industry is still limited and requires better fabrication technology and methodology in order to expand and grow. An example of this is that the majority of fabrication facilities nearby still use an antiquated wet lay-up process where fabrication still requires manual hand labor in a 3D environment impeding productivity of composite product design advancement. As an expert in the advanced composites field, I have developed fabrication skills with the use of machinery based on my past composite experience. In autumn 2011, the Korea government confirmed to fund my project. It is the development of a composite sanding machine. I began development of this semi-robotic prototype beginning in 2009. It has possibilities of replacing or augmenting the exhaustive and difficult jobs performed by human hands, such as sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing in most often, very awkward conditions, and is also will boost productivity, improve surface quality, cut abrasive costs, eliminate vibration injuries, and protect workers from exposure to dust and airborne contamination. Ease of control and operation of the equipment in or outside of the sanding room is a key benefit to end-users. It will prove to be much more economical than normal robotics and minimize errors that commonly occur in factories. The key components and their technologies are a 360 degree rotational shoulder and a wrist that is controlled under PLC controller and joystick manual mode. Development on both of the key modules is complete and are now operational. The Korean government fund boosted my development and I expect to complete full scale development no later than 3rd quarter 2012. Even with the advantages of composite materials, there is still the need to repair or to maintain composite products with a higher level of technology. I have learned many composite repair skills on composite airframe since many composite fabrication skills including repair, requires training for non aerospace applications. The wind energy market is now requiring much larger blades in order to generate more electrical energy for wind farms. One single blade is commonly 50 meters or longer now. When a wind blade becomes damaged from external forces, on-site repair is required on the columns even under strong wind and freezing temperature conditions. In order to correctly obtain polymerization, the repair must be performed on the damaged area within a very limited time. The use of pre-impregnated glass fabric and heating silicone pad and a hot bonder acting precise heating control are surely required.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.